Indie Events: January 24-29

Image by Krisjanis Kaktins-Gorsline: “Rupersland Handicraft” created at the Martha Street Studios.

After a little hibernation post-NYE, events are kicking up again and we have tons for you this week! Read on…

Toronto

Jan. 24, Toronto Fringe Creation Lab’s Open Jam #3, CSI Annex (Fourth Floor),  720 Bathurst Street, 12-6 pm

Looking to brainstorm ideas for your latest artistic project? Come over to the Fringe Creation Lab, where you’ll be able to work with artist, actors, directors and writers and creative types of all ilks.

Jan. 24, The Art Bar Poetry Series, Black Swan Tavern (Upstairs), 154 Danforth Avenue, 8 pm, Free

You’ll find Gerald Lampert Award nominee Matt Rader, Hart House Literary Contest winner Chris D’Iorio and the Origami Crane Award winner Terry Ann Carter at this week’s Art Bar poetry reading.

Jan. 25, Pivot, The Press Club, 850 Dundas Street West, 8 pm, PWYC

The Emergency Response Unit chapbook press curator Andrew Faulkner, BookThug and Cactus Press author Andrew McEwan and 90s zinester, Robert Dayton make for an awesome mix of Pivot readings this time around

Jan. 27-Jan. 29, “Come Up To My Room,” Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West, 12 pm, $10

This weekend the annual four-day alternative design event invites 44 artist and designers to let their imagination go wild on 11 room installations and 14 public space projects. Get there early to beat the curious crowds.

Jan. 27, Nomad On The Run Reading, Deer Park Library, 40 St. Clair East, 1 pm, Free

Moroccan born author and photographer Georges Benay reads from his book Nomad on the Run.

Jan. 28, “Poetry Slam,” Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West, 7 pm, $5

Toronto Poetry Slam welcomes poetry slam champion Ken Arkind as this month’s spoken word competition.

Hamilton

Jan. 23, “Screening: No Logo,” Sky Dragon Centre/Homegrown Hamilton, 27 King WIlliam Street (Second floor), 7 pm, $2 (donation)

Based on Naomi Klein’s seminal book No Logo, this documentary looks at the rise of corporate brands through the 1990s and its effects on public space, consumer choices and exportation of labour overseas.

London, On

Jan. 25, Poetry London Readings, Landon Library, 167 Wortley Road, 7:30 pm

This Magazine’s 2005 Great Canadian Literary Hunt first and second place winner as well as writer of the Coach House 2009 release The Hayflick Limit Matthew Tierney joins, Journey Prize nominee Matt Rader for a poetry reading in London, Ontario.

Ottawa

Jan. 24, Tree Reading Series, Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue, 6:45 pm, Free

The night starts out with a workshop from writer Pearl Pirie, with readings to follow at 8 pm with Pat Lowther Award nominee Nadine McInnis.

 Montreal

Jan. 21-Feb. 25, Martha Street Studio Editions – In Montreal, 5445, Avenue de Gaspé (Suite 101)

Check out work from the last four years created at the Martha Street Studios where local artists create multiples in etching, relief printing and screen printing, (see image above for a taste!).

Vancouver

Jan. 24, “Real Vancouver Writers’ Series: 2nd Anniversary Edition,” W2 Media Café, 111 West Hastings Street, 7 pm, $5

Catch this remarkable lineup of writing talent reading this week at W2: Garry Thomas Morse, Ayelet Tsabari, Zsuzsi Gartner, among others.